Thanks for Sympathy

Mr. R. JOHNSTON and Daughter desire to return their sincere thanks to all those who sympathised with them in their recent sad bereavement, especially to 44 Reeling and Spinning Department, Hilden; also a few friends for their beautiful wreath. Hoping this will be accepted by all. 16 Low Road, Lisburn.

Clippings

SOME EXTRACTS FROM THE

RECORDS OF OLD LISBURN

AND THE MANOR OF KILLULTAGH.

-- -- --

Edited by JAMES CARSON.

-- -- --

XC

-- -- --

ORIGIN AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION IN THE COUNTIES DOWN AND ANTRIM

Ulster Journal of Archæology,, Vol. 1, 1853.

(Continued.)

Condition of the County Before the Plantation of Ulster.

At the close of Queen Elisabeth's reign, and beginning of that of James I., various causes had contributed to reduce the North of Ireland, and not the North only, to a pitiable condition.

One valuable authority, accessible to every reader, is Camden, whose "Britannia" was first published in 1586. He had less assistance from previous writers, in the materials for his account of Ireland, than for those of England and Scotland; he, therefore, took advantage of the latest official information, and, no doubt, sought personal intercourse with those who were minutely acquainted with the scenes of which he treated. His account of our own district has not been always received as correct, but it has been confirmed in the most satisfactory manner by a totally independent authority, the MS. of Dean Dobbs, published by Dubourdieu in 1812. This is supposed to have been written about 1598, and, from internal evidence, it is clear that that date is now much in error.

Bankes, whose immense folio was issued about 1786, says of the whole County Antrim, "it consists chiefly of bogs and marshes, but those parts which are cultivated are tolerably fertile." We cannot reasonably doubt the correctness of the former statement, from what we know of the present condition of the county; especially when we consider what a large amount of bog was converted into arable land, in one of the very best parts of it, and since the commencement of the present century. The character of the County Down is not very flattering either, for at a late period also -- viz., in 1691 -- Laurence Eochard writes of it, that "it is very fertile, though in some places encumbered with woods and bogs."

The whole of that which is now Upper and Lower Massareene, part of Upper Belfast, and the northern part of Lower Iveagh, form an extensive tract of great fertility and beauty at the present day; but the waters of the Lagan and its tributaries, not being confined within convenient limits, naturally produced mashes and bogs, and the natural fertility of the soil covered the greater part with timber. Accordingly, the description of it is contained in such expressions as the following: "Much incumber'd with woods and boggs;" and "a very fast woodland."

Speed's map of Ulster, which was engraved in 1610, was one of great merit in its day.

Killultagh is represented in 1598 as "as bordering upon Lough Eaghe and Clandbrassil;" and in Speed's map it occupies the position of the modern Aghalee, Aghagallon, and Ballinderry, between the Lagan river and the lake. In 1691 it is enumerated as one of the baronies of Antrim, to which it then belonged; and both Upper and Lower Masserene are omitted; it is evident, therefore, that it was then co-extensive with them. Its official existence is now merely as a manor, the general extent of which is coincident with the Marquis of Hertford's estate. It includes the town of Lisburn, and possesses some peculiar privileges connected with it. The district which gave origin to the name is now a townland of less than 700 acres in extent, in the parish of Ballinderry. Its formal name is Derrykillultagh, though popularly abridged; and a respectable mansion, now a farmhouse, commanding an extensive prospect, is known as Killultagh House. This district gave the Irish title of Viscount to Sir Edward Conway in 1626; but it and other honours expired at the death of his grandson, Earl Conway, in 1683. Popham Seymour and his brother Francis, who were cousins to the Earl through their respective mothers, inherited the estates in succession, in accordance with the will of the late Earl, greatly to the annoyance of those who possessed naturally the blood of the Conways, as did Sir Arthur Rawdon, Bart., grandfather of the first Lord Moira. Francis Seymour having assumed the name and arms of Conway, was created a peer both of England and Ireland in 1703; the title in the latter case being Baron Conway of Killultagh, now merged in the superior dignify of Marquis of Hertford.

Kilwarlin is frequently spoken of in connection with Killultagh. It was "bounding upon Killulto," the Lagan river flowing between; and according to Speed it had the modern Lough Beg on its west. He has, however, misplaced the lake of that name, which lies on the parochial boundary between Glenavy and Ballinderry (not the Lough Beg at Toome, north of Lough Neagh); and under the name of Lough Ryle reaches it till in a straight line between Donochelon (Donaghcloney) and Blare (Blaris)! In 1598 Kinelarty lay between Kilwarlin and Le Cahell;" the district must therefore have embraced the greater part of Lower Iveagh. During the contested county elections in the close of the last century it was regarded as co-extensive with Lord Downshire's home estate, and the term "the Kilwarlin estate" is still occasionally heard. Within the last thirty years the understanding was that Kilwarlin corresponded with the Downshire property west of Hillsborough; and a Roman Catholic chapel built just within those limits is called, in the Report of the Commissioners for Public Instruction, 1834, the chapel of Kilwarlin. At the present day very few would recognise the property of the name. It is now popularly almost confined to five contiguous townlands; three in the parish of Hillsborough, one in Moria, and one in Blaris. This district is mentioned in two inferior titles of the Marquis of Downshire, whose ancestor was created Baron Hill of Kilwarlin in 1717, and Viscount Kilwarlin in 1751.

The Plantation of Ulster.

Before the death of Queen Elisabeth, King James of Scotland, in anticipation of the union of the crowns, had turned his attention anxiously to Ireland. He had succeeded in quelling the fierce spirit of the Border people, and he hoped, no doubt, to be able to increase peace and prosperity in Ireland also. This was impossible without good laws; but laws themselves, unless they are obeyed, are of little avail. Sir John Davis, whose service in Ireland began in 1603, published his "Discovery of the True Causes, &c.," in 1612, in which he traces former errors and contemporary misfortunes to their true source. He shows that the nominal possessors of land were too few in number, "all Ireland having been cantonised among ten persons of the English nation;" and that the Irish customs or law -- such as elective chieftainship, and the arbitrary division of the lands among all the males by the chief -- were difficulties quite insuperable in the way of progress. "This is the true reason," he adds, "why Ulster and all the Irish counties are found so waste and desolate at this day; and so would they continue to the world's end if these customs were not abolished by the law of England."

Though the plan of the plantation was agreed upon in 1609, and Sir John Davies reports in 1610 that a certain part of it had been carried into effect, the King and the more intelligent people of the nation continued to attach considerable importance to it. This is evident from the institution of the Baronetcy, in England in 1611, and in Ireland in 1619. The Letters Patent rehearse that it was "to promote the plantation of the Kingdom of Ireland, and chiefly of the ample and celebrated province of Ulster, and to establish that it should more and more flourish, not only by the sincere culture of religion, civil humanity, and probity of morals, but also from the affluence of riches, and plenty of every thing that can either adorn or make happy a commonwealth.

The plantation of Ulster is commonly said to have embraced only six counties -- Cavan, Fermanagh, Armagh, Donegal, Tyrone, and Derry -- because almost the whole of these had been forfeited in consequence of the previous rebellion. Probably the settlement of Monaghan, by the Lord Deputy in person, in 1607, was regarded as sufficient for that shire. At all events, the Counties Down and Antrim are not prominently mentioned in connection with the plantation scheme; though it is, also, evident that they were net excluded from it.

In Down the forfeited lands extended from Clanbrassil on the west, across the territories of Kilwarlin, Iveagh, Kinclarty, and South Clandeboy, and embraced also the greater part, if not the whole of the Ards.

In Antrim, in like manner, the forfeited lands included Killultagh, North Clandeboy, Island Magee, Brian Carrogh's country, and a portion of the Route.

From this date the districts which had been the worst became the best. They were filled with a population of Anglo-Saxon origin; and though the original fountain had sent forth two streams, each of which possessed qualities of its own, their confluence in this new land was unattended by shock or disaster, but tended, on the contrary, to diffuse wealth and prosperity.

(To be Continued.)

=========================

HILDEN MILL FATALITY.

MECHANICS' HELPER'S DEATH.

JURY SAY: "IT WAS A PURE ACCIDENT."

On Tuesday afternoon Dr. Arthur Mussen, J.P. (coroner), held an inquest in the County Antrim Infirmary on the body of Edward Dalton, who died in the Infirmary the previous evening as a result of an accident he met with in the mechanic shop of Messrs. William Barbour & Sons. Ltd., Hilden. Mr. W. B. Leonard was foreman of the jury, and Sergeant Rourke represented the police.

The first witness was Robert Dalton, brother of deceased, who gave evidence of identification. He said his brother was forty-six years of age, unmarried, and resided with him at Rosevale, Lisburn. Deceased had been employed at Hilden as a labourer or mechanic's helper, and left for his work as usual about 5-30 on Monday morning. He was a strong, healthy man, never complained of illness, and liked his work well.

Mr. Jefferson -- I have only one question to ask you. How long was the deceased in the employment of Messrs. Barbour?

Witness -- Eleven months.

George Burke said he was a blacksmith in the employment of Messrs. Barbour, and was associated regularly with deceased in his work. About 4-30 on Monday afternoon he heard a heavy thud, and looking round saw deceased lying against the smith's hearth with a pair of smith's tongs in hand. Blood was oozing from Dalton's boot, and he saw he was hurt. George Crothers, foreman, and Robert Curry took Dalton to the furnishing store to dress the wound. He did not notice the accident, and didn't know why deceased had the large smith's tongs in his hands.

By the Factory Inspector -- He had noticed the emery bath in motion before deceased was injured.

By Mr. Maginess -- It was Dalton's duty to cover the emery buff. To do that the wheel would have to be stopped. He never saw Dalton attempting to stop the wheel with anything while it was in motion.

The Coroner -- Did you ever see Him using these tongs?

Witness -- No.

Further replying to Mr. Maginess, witness said it would take the wheel about three or four minutes to come to a standstill after the belt was knocked off.

By Mr. Jefferson -- It was deceased's duty to face the emery buff. Deceased knocked off the belt. If deceased had waited until the wheel stopped revolving he thought none of them would be there that day.

By Mr. Maginess -- The tongs belonged to the workshop. He last saw them about two hours before the accident.

The Factory Inspector -- Which belt did you see the man knock off? -- The one that drives the shaft.

Had you seen him previously using anything as a brake to stop the wheel? -- No.

You never saw anyone use a pair of tongs? -- No.

Henry Ernest Netten said he was chief engineer in Messrs. Barbour's. He heard about the accident shortly after 4-30 on Monday. He went and looked at the machine and examined it. He noticed that the main driving belt was off; it was disconnected with the power altogether. The bell from the countershaft was on the slack pulley. He was shown the tongs. There was blood on the tongs. On the side of the emery wheel there was a mark as if it had come into contact pretty violently with something. He concluded that deceased had caught the wheel with the tongs, but he could not swear that. It was part of deceased's duty to cover the emery buff, and he had done it before very accurately. The buff could not be covered unless the machine was stopped.

By the Factory Inspector -- There was no occasion for hurry. There was ample time to let the wheel stop naturally.

By the Coroner -- The wheel ran at 650 revolutions a minute. If deceased caught the wheel with the tongs it was a wonder they did not run through him.

Dr. George St. George said he saw deceased at the Infirmary at 5 o'clock on Monday. He had a lacerated wound on the inner side of his right thigh. There was a turniquet on the wound. There was no arterial haemorrhage at all, but two of the large veins had been torn through, and the man was in a dying state from shock. There was a wound on the man's left temple, as if he had fallen against something, but it was of no consequence. The man lived until 7 o'clock, and was conscious to the last.

On Dr. St. George being asked what was his opinion of the accident, he said he had formed the theory -- of course it was only a theory -- that deceased had gone to stop the wheel with the tongs, and the force of the wheel drove the tongs into his thigh and flung him against the wall. He believed it was shock that killed the man, as the veinous blood lost would not have been sufficient to cause death. The turniquet was excellently applied to the wound. Death, added the doctor, was due to shock and haemorrhage consequent on the injuries received.

The Factory Inspector said that the accident was a perfectly simple one so far as his department was concerned. He had made careful inquiry, and was quite satisfied that the belt was off. He thought that it was a case of the man not waiting for the wheel to stop.

Mr. Jefferson, on behalf of Messrs. Wm. Barbour & Sons, Ltd., expressed sincere sympathy with the brother and other relatives of the deceased. Deceased had only been eleven months in Messrs. Barbour's employment. During that time he had proved himself to be a very decent, honest workman, and his employers regretted exceedingly his untimely death.

Mr. Leonard, on behalf of the jury, desired to, associate himself with the expression of sympathy. The jury believed that it was a pure accident.

The Coroner also associated himself with the expression of sympathy.

Mr. Maginess thanked Mr. Jefferson, the jury, and the Coroner for their sympathy. After hearing the explanation given by the Factory Inspector, he was satisfied that deceased met his death as a result of an accident.

A formal verdict of accidental death was then returned.

-- -- -- -- --

GIVEN AN ORANGE FUNERAL.

The funeral took place from deceased's late residence, Rosevale, Moira Road, Lisburn, on Wednesday, the place of internment being Broomhedge. The cortege was a particularly large one, and testified to the popularity of deceased in the district. Prominent in the precession were the brethren, in regalia, of Magheragall District L.O.L., of which deceased had been Deputy District Master. The chief mourners were -- Messrs. Robert Dalton (brother), George Price and Samuel Price (half-brothers), John Heasley (brother-in-law), William Dalton, Robert Dalton, and George Dalton (cousins). Prior to the funeral Bro. Rev. John Leslie conducted a touching service in the house, and again at the church. Speaking in the church, he said he had known their deceased brother since he was a little boy going to school. He never knew a more frank, honest, or straightforward man. The Orange Order was distinctly the poorer by his untimely death. The wreaths included one from his brother, sister, and aunt; one from the brethren of Magheragall, District L.O.L., one from Lower Broomhedge L.O.L. (of which deceased was Past Master), and one from the mechanic shop of Messrs. Wm. Barbour & Sons, Ltd., Hilden.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by the firm of Robert Ramsay, Lisburn, under the personal supervision of Mr. R. Ramsay.

=========================

THE WAR.

-- -- -- --

BRITISH CAPTURE IMPORTANT GROUND.

-- -- -- --

The expected colossal German attack has not materialised yet, and on the whole week's reports the Allies have had the best of things. This morning the Italians are able to record further advances with the capture of several hundred prisoners, both on the Piave and the Brenta.

Sir Douglas Haig has another gratifying success to record, this time in the Villers-Brettonneux region, where Australians and Americans captured much important ground and over 1,000 prisoners

West of Autreches (between the Oise and the Aisne) the French had an almost identical success, also gaining much ground and taking over 1,000 prisoners.

Over 1,000,000 Americans are now in France, so that the balance of weight should soon be on our side.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

LIEUT. P. G. M'MASTER KILLED IN ACTION.

Lieut. Philip George M'Master, Machine Gun Corps, killed on 23rd ult., was a son of Mr. John M'Master, Tullyard, Hillhall, Lisburn, and at the outbreak of the war was on the staff of the Board of Trade in Dublin. He was granted a commission in Colonel Sharman-Crawford's Reserve Battalion at the R.I.R. in March of 1915, and in the following year was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, receiving his second star on 1st November. His brother Samuel is serving in the Canadian Navy.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

METHODIST MINISTER'S SON KILLED.

The death, from shock following wounds, will be learned with regret in Lisburn of Private J. Douglas Hazelton, eldest son of the Rev. Edward Hazelton, now stationed at Larne. A solicitor by profession, the deceased prior to emigrating to the Dominion practised at Royal Avenue, Belfast.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

A PRISONER OF WAR.

Mrs. Keery, Wesley Street, Lisburn, has received a card from her son, Sergeant James Keery, Royal Marine Light Infantry, stating that he is well and a prisoner of war in Germany. Sergeant Keery was officially reported missing on the 24th March. He enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war, and landed at the Dardanelles unhurt. He worked in the netting department, Hilden, prior to the war.

Clippings

SOME EXTRACTS FROM THE

RECORDS OF OLD LISBURN

AND THE MANOR OF KILLULTAGH.

ORIGIN AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION IN THE COUNTIES DOWN AND ANTRIM.

Ulster Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 1, 1863.

(Continued.)

English Settlements in Antrim and Down.

The property of the Marquis of Hertford comprises the two territories or "manors" of Killultagh and Derryvolga, and includes either the whole or the greatest portion of eleven distinct parishes. The most northern of these are Camlin and Tullyrusk, but those first reached in the line which the settlers of the Plantation followed are Lambeg and Derriaghy. Both of these, the former especially, are wholly English in their character; and it is probable that they were settled by Sir Fulke Conway at the same time as Lisnegarvey. The current statements respecting him are very incorrect, people being misled by his name. His family had been resident at Bodrythan in Flintshire, and no doubt derived their name from the town of Conway. His father and grandfather were distinguished soldiers, and the former was Governor of Ostend in 1586; but there is not the slightest evidence that "the town of Conway was the property of Sir Fulke." The assertion is equally gratuitous that the first settlers in Lisnegarvey were Welsh; for the names of the first British settlers (fifty-two in number) are still preserved, and the list comprises only four Welsh names. These are Morgan, Edwards, Ap Ritchard and Ap Hugh.

The maternal grandfather of Sir Fulke Conway was Sir Fulke Greville, descended front "the flower of Woolstaplers," and ancestor of the Earls of Brooke and Warwick. Lady Greville, who possessed large estates in Warwickshire, was doubly an heiress, representing both Lord Brooke and Lord Beauchamp of Powyk. Connected as the family was, therefore, with the County of Warwick, both by relationship and occasional visits, it is not surprising that Sir Fulke's father purchased the manor of Ragley there, in the close of Queen Elizabeth's reign. When Ireland became the laud of adventure and promise, and the Conway family became interested in it, the tenantry and other inhabitants of both properties sought a settlement in that country; but they came almost exclusively from Ragley, and no doubt sailed from Bristol. When Sir Edward succeeded to the representation of the family, he continued to prosecute the designs of Sir Fulke; and the important position which he occupied in public affairs afforded him opportunities of doing so with success. In 1622 he succeeded Sir Robert Naunton as one of the Secretaries of State; and about a year before the death of James I. was created Baron Conway of Ragley. On the accession of Charles I. he was reappointed Secretary of State, and continued so till 1630; but in the meanwhile he had been elevated to a higher grade of the English peerage as Viscount Conway of Conway Castle, and also to the Irish peerage as Viscount Killultagh. The manor of Ragley is situated on the right bank of the classic Avon, where the shires of Gloucester and Worcester join that at Warwick; and hence it is highly probable that the additional men required to plant the new districts, extending finally to Lough Neagh, came from those counties also. Lady Conway was a native of Gloucestershire, and and the second Vicountess came from Somerset. The tradition of the people is, too, that their fathers came from "the apple counties" of England; and some of them can even name the offices which their ancestors of English birth held under the first and second Lords Conway.

Edward, the second Viscount, also extended the plans of Sir Fulke, and was vigorously engaged with them during the brief visit of Sir William Brereton. "From Belfast to Linsley Garven," says that writer, "is about 7 miles, & is a Paradise in comparison of any part of Scotland. Linsley Garven is well seated, butt neither the Towne nor the Countrie there-abouts well planted. This Towne belongs to my L. Conoway, who hath there a good hansome House, butt farr short of both my Lo: Chich. Houses, & this House seated uppon an Hill, uppon the side whereof is planted a Garden & Orchard, & att the Bottome of wch Hill runnes a pleasaunt River wch abounds wth Salmon. Here-abouts, my Lord Conoway is now endeavoureing a Plantation; though the Land here-boutes bee the poorest & barrenest I have yett seen, yett may itt bee made good Land wth labour & chardge." The "house" which the writer mentions was afterwards called the Castle of Lisburn; and it is probable that it was improved and strengthened after the disasters of 1641, for it is spoken of as a building of strength and respectability in 1707, when it was accidentally burned along with the town.

About the middle of the Protectorate another Edward Conway succeeded as the third Viscount. He was the fourth individual, and the third generation of his family, that had been connected with Killultagh; and passing beyond Lisburn, he selected for his residence a point of extreme beauty at the opposite extremity of his possessions. On the eastern bank of the little lake of Portmore an ancient castle of the O'Neills occupied a gentle elevation. To the west, the situation commanded a view of all the lake below and the greater part of Lough Neagh; to the north and east, the eye rested for miles on the beautiful lands of Glenavy and Ballinderry, with the tower of Ram's Island rising from a curve of the lake; and to the south, across the bogs of Aghagallon, appeared the County Armagh.

This spot, which is held in great veneration by the rustic inhabitants, will surely be not less interesting to the more intelligent, for here the learned, pious, and accomplished Jeremy Taylor resided, who taught mankind both how to live and how to die. On a little island in the smaller lake, now known as the Sally Isle, was an arbour erected by his patron, Lord Conway; this was the favourite scene of his studies, and there he put the finishing hand to his "Doctor Dubilantium." At the Restoration, as is well known, he became Bishop of Down and Connor, and in 1661 Bishop of Dromore also.

In 1664 the castle of Portmore was rebuilt on a scale of great munificence; and here Lord Conway, now an Earl, continued to dispense his generous hospitality for nearly twenty years. The splendour of the castle may be inferred from the quality of the out-buildings; and the provisions which were made are a commentary on the condition of society at the period. The stables constituted a sort of cavalry barracks, with the most ample accommodation for two troops of horse. They were 140 feet long, 35 broad, and 40 high; and water was supplied by pumps to a series of marble cisterns. When the Lords Conway became extinct, and the new proprietors did not feel inclined to make Ireland a place of residence, the glories of Portmore departed. The castle and other buildings were removed about 1761, and the only vestige that now remains of them is a portion of a wall. The garden and terrace are still entire under the name of "the Bowling Green," but the decoys for wild ducks, such as are well known in Lincolnshire, and used to be common in Lancashire, have disappeared. The beautiful deer-park, said to have contained 2,000 acres, is now changed to corn and pasture fields; and of the gigantic oaks, that were the pride of the neighbourhood and the wonder of all who saw them, not one remains. The great oak of Portmore was blown down about 1760. To the first branch from the ground was 25 feet, and the circumference 14 yards. A single branch was sold for £9; the stem for £97; of the remainder, bought for £30, built a lighter of 40 tons burthen. Many articles of furniture were made of it, and are held still in great estimation. The church, which had been removed by Lord Conway from Templecormac to Portmore, was superseded by a new one at the Restoration, near the village of Upper Ballinderry; and, though the burial-ground of this is still used, it has been superseded in turn by another church about half a mile distant, erected in 1827. Thus, the single parish of Ballinderry contains four parochial burial-places, and has had as many churches, all of which were need since the commencement of the seventeenth century. The majority of these facts are less known than the contemporary history of other portions of the two counties; they form, however, an interesting illustration of the English settlement in Ulster, and are some proof of its extent and importance.

Among the prominent men of the Plantation period was Sir Moses Hill, said to be descended from, a Norman family, of which branches are still seated in the shires of Devon and Stafford. He had served under two successive Earls of Essex, during the rebellion of O'Neill in Elizabeth's reign; and had been governor of the castle of Olderfleet, of Larne. He had also served under Lord Deputy Chichester; had represented the County of Antrim in Parliament; and when numerous offences and disorders required the pœna prœsens of martini law, he was appointed provost marshal for all Ulster. One of the first portions of property which he acquired was situated at Carrickfergus; there Captain Hill obtained a "whole share" of the corporation land in 1600. Arthur Hill was one of the three trustees for the corporation in 1637, and in 1811 the Marquis of Downshire was one of five (out of a large number) whose family name still coincided with that of the original grantee. All this portion formed part of a district then thoroughly English.

To the south of Belfast also Sir William Brereton noticed the labours of Sir Moyses during his brief visit. "Near hereunto" (Belfast), he says, "Mr. Arthur Hill [son and heir of Sir Moyses Hill] hath a brave plantation, which he holds by lease, which still is for thirty years to come; the land is my Lord Chichester's, and the lease was made for sixty years to Sir Moyses Hill, by the old Lord Chichester. This plantation, is said, doth yield him a £1,000 per annum. Many Lanckashire and Cheshire men are here planted, with some of them I conversed. They sit upon a rack-rent and pay 5s or 6s an acre for good ploughing land, which now is clothed with excellent corn." The clause in brackets, though practically true, is literally an error, for in 1635 Peter Hill, Esq., was the son and heir of Sir Moyses, and was seated still further inland at a place which he called Hill-Hall.

Arthur, the younger son, who was born in 1600, and died in 1663, not only succeeded by inheritance to the lands of Peter, but in 1656 had so added to them that his estate lying in Antrim, Down, and Louth was excelled by few in the kingdom. In 1635 Sir William Brereton found the country "almost all woods and moorish [from Linsley Garven] until you come to Drum-moare;" and in 1657 Arthur Hill received from the Protector and his Council, for "services done in Ireland, a grant of more than 3,000 acres, of which 912 are described as "wood, and bogg." All this was in the "territory of Kilwarlin, and County of Down," and this account of it confirms the view already given of the state of the country. Some portions of the grant are enumerated in the confirmation of 1662, as Culcavy, Cromlyne, &AMP;c.; though the fort which he had erected at his own cost, commanding an important point of communication, again embodied the family name, and gave origin to the town of Hillsborough. The manor of Hillsborough was composed of two more ancient ones, Hillsborough and Growle; the latter of which was named from what is now an obscure townland in the parish of Dromore. So early as 1669 a village had sprung up on a distant portion of his property called Carcullion or Carquillan. Its distance from Newry, and the fact that a bridge there crosses the Bann, gave to it the English name of Eight-mile-bridge; but the family name was applied a third time, and the name of Hilltown has become prominent.

The portion of the manor of Hillsborough which was colonised by natives of England is that adjacent to Killultagh. They spread up the valley of the Lagan, on the right as well as on the left bank, but did not establish themselves among the hills by which the valley is here bounded. The town of Hillsborough, and the whole western portion of the parish, lie within the area of the English plantation; but in the eastern portion very few established themselves, and those only by slow degrees.

Further inland, and later in point of settlement, was Sir George Rawdon, a native of Rawdon, near Leeds, in Yorkshire. His connection with the North of Ireland may be traced to the fact that in early life he was secretary to the first Lord Conway while his lordship was Secretary of State, and indeed till his death. He afterwards became more intimately related to the Conways by marrying in the decline of life, as his second wife, the daughter of the second Lord, sister to the Earl. In 1641 Sir George was one of the most active in defending Lisburn and the adjoining country against Sir Phelim O'Neill, and some years after he was the Earl of Donegal's deputy as governor of Carrickfergus, the County Antrim, and adjacent parts. In 1666 he had grants of land in Down, as well as in two other counties, under the acts of settlement; and other lands were assigned to him from time to time, in lieu of arrears of pay for services in the reign of Charles I.

The Moyra estate is now the property of Sir Robert Bateson, Bart., and since the commencement of the present century the history of the Rawdon family belongs to England. They have been identified with several parts of the County Down, greatly to its advantage; and the earldom of Moira, conferred in 1762, is one of the numerous peerages possessed by the Marquis of Hastings. There is a tradition among the tenantry that a small portion of the estate adjoining the churchyard in Moira was reserved, when all the rest was alienated, lest the title Earl of Moira should pass away; and the belief is an interesting illustration of the hold which baronies by tenure practically possess on the popular mind.

The English colonists did not stop at the verge of this country, but pressed on across Armagh. Bankes, in speaking of Lugarn [Lurgan), says: "The town, from the similarity of its general figure, of the language, manners, and dispositions of its inhabitants, to those of the English, hath for many years acquired the name of Little England." Leaving the bogs of Oneiland to the right, the planters passed from Seagoe, Shankill, and Magheralin, across to the Blackwater at Killyman and Charlemont; and large numbers settled in Dungannon and the parishes immediately surrounding it. Thus, from the tides of the Channel at Carrickfergus to the base of the Pomeroy mountains in Tyrone, across a considerable portion of four counties, and independent of smaller numbers scattered at other points, the English portion of the plantation existed in an unbroken line.

(Next week: Montgomery Manuscripts.)

=========================

LISBURN PETTY SESSIONS.

This court was held yesterday, before Messrs. Alan Bell, R.M. (in the chair); Thomas Sinclair, J.P.; and William Davis, J.P.

Too Much Moisture in Butter.

James Megrath, provision merchant, Chapel Hill, was prosecuted by Sergeant Rourke, ex-officio inspector of food and drugs, for having in his shop for sale on 29th ult. creamery butter which, on being subsequently analysed, was found to contain 6.2 per cent. of water in excess of the prescribed quantity.

Mr. Joseph Lockhart, solicitor, who appeared for the defence, said he would simply read a letter in explanation which Mr. Megrath had received from the agent, who wrote:-- "The company say they are not surprised, as the cooling machinery went wrong during the process of making." Proceeding, Mr. Lockhart submitted that unless something had gone wrong with the machinery such a thing as the deficiency could not have happened. It was simply the result of an accident. Mr. Megrath was a most respectable trader, and had been in business in Lisburn for over thirty years.

The Chairman said that in law the defendant was liable, but as he seemed to be the victim of the defect in the machinery, the magistrates would only impose the nominal fine of 5s and 12s 6d costs.

Drunkenness.

On the evidence of Sergeant M'Farland, Mary M'Cullough, M'Keown Street, was fined 5s for drunken disorderliness on 29th ult. It appeared from the statement of the complainant that when he came on the scene she was trying to pull a man off his bicycle, and was conducting herself in a very disorderly manner.

Lisburn Carman Fined.

James M'Clarnon, licensed hackney-car driver, Lisburn, was prosecuted by the Lisburn Urban Council for refusing to carry a passenger on the 28th May.

Henry Lowe, J.P., Glenavy, said he came by train to Lisburn on the 28th May. When he arrived he motioned to defendant, who had a car on the carstand, to come to him, but he took no notice. Witness than walked down, and when he got near defendant the latter said, "I would not take you if I had not a bite in the house. If there was anyone up there you would not came down to us. You are like the rest of them -- you like to support the big firms - I can do without you."

By Mr. Allen -- Defendant was on the stand, and did not say he was engaged.

Cross-examined by defendant, witness said that M'Clarnon did not refuse to carry two baskets he had. He did not think straw was hanging out of them.

The Chairman (to witness) -- Was there any other car there? -- No.

By Mr. Sinclair -- The baskets were not very big; he was able to carry them.

Defendant said he did not refuse to take Mr. Lowe. It was his baskets he refused to take. He had a good clean machine with new cushions, and he did not want to dirty it. Straw was hanging out of the baskets.

Did the carman say anything about the state of the baskets? -- He made no complaint.

On what grounds did he refuse to carry you? -- The words he used, so far as I can recollect, were: "I would not take you if I had not a bite in the house."

The Chairman -- A licensed hackney car-man is bound to carry out the bye-laws under which he is licensed.

Mr. Allen said that was the first prosecution of the kind in Lisburn. Personally he had always found the carmen very decent.

The Chairman reiterated that a licensed cardriver was bound to carry out the regulations under which he was licensed. Having regard to the fact that that was the first prosecution, defendant would only be fined 1s and costs.

=========================

THE WAR.

-- -- -- --

BRITISH LINE ADVANCED AT MERRIS.

-- -- -- --

PRISONERS AND MACHINE GUNS TAKEN.

-- -- -- --

No event of outstanding importance has been reported during the week, and this morning's news cannot be regarded as anything abnormal.

Australian troops yesterday advanced their line in the neighbourhood of Merris, capturing prisoners and machine guns. There was increased German artillery activity, with local attacks, near Villers-Brettonneux.

South of the Aisne the French captured a number of points, taking some prisoners.

Only small operations are reported on the Italian front, but in Albania the Italians are advancing, repulsing the enemy astride the Osum.

Nothing of importance is reported from the portion of front now held by the Americans.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

DEEDS THAT WON DISTINCTION.

A recent issue of the "London Gazette" contained, among others, the following statements of services for which decorations have been conferred:--

Bar to D.S.O.

Lieut.-Colonel G. A. H. Beatty, D.S.O., Indian Cavalry, a member of an old Lisburn family, and relative of the late Canon Pounden--

When a regiment to which he was in support was held up in an attack, he led his regiment forward at the gallop under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, and occupied an important position, the capture of which enabled the other regiment to advance and take their objective. His quick decision and skilful handling of his men resulted in an important success.

When the advance was held up owing to the supply of bombs failing, he rapidly collected a party and carried forward a further supply under heavy fire, thereby ensuring the progress of the attack. Throughout the day he worked with tireless energy, moving about fearlessly, and inspiring those around him by his calm and courageous bearing. In the advance of the following day he carried out very arduous duties in the most cheerful and through manner.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When all the officers of his company, including himself, were wounded, and nearly fifty of the company were casualties, he rallied his men and held them together by his splendid example under the heaviest fire.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

LISBURN SOLDIER DIES IN FRANCE.

Mrs. Mines, 16 Mercer Street, Lisburn, has received the sad news of the death from pneumonia, in hospital at Calais, of one of her sons, Private Thomas Mines, Royal Irish Fusiliers. The deceased soldier worked in the dyeworks department, Hilden, prior to the war. He enlisted shortly after the outbreak of hostilities, and had seen considerable service. He was a member of Blaris L.O.L., the members of which will all the more poignantly regret the news of his death, coming on the eve of the Twelfth. Capt. (Rev.) J. A. Coullie, C.F., writing to Mrs. Mines, says:--

I had the sad duty of conducting the funeral of your son, Private Thomas Mines, on the 1st July. He was buried with full military honours at Les Baracquets Military Cemetery, Calais.

May you be sustained and strengthened to bear this sore loss, and may the light of the immortal hope that is ours through Christ illumine the darkness of the grief that is yours.

Your son laid down his life on behalf of all the high ideals in the cause of humanity for which we stand.

=========================

PRICE v. PRICE.

Application in Chancery Division.

In the Chancery Division, Dublin, on Monday, before Mr. Justice O'Connor, the matter of Price v. Price was mentioned. This was an application on summons (under the Trustee Act, 1893) by the administrator of Thomas Price, deceased, and next-of-kin, for an order presuming the death of Robert Price, a brother of the deceased. Robert had left Ireland for America when aged about 16 years, and had not been heard of for the past 60 years. He had gone to Philadelphia. His share of the assets had been lodged in court.

Mr. Justice O'Connor said that before presuming death he should like advertisements inserted in Philadelphia newspapers, and adjourned the application till first day of next sittings to have this done.

Lisburn Standard - Friday, 19 July, 1918

Birth

Marriage

M'KEE--SLOAN -- July 1Oth, at Comber Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church, by the Rev. Kenneth Dunbar, M.A., Samuel William M'Kee, Solicitor, eldest son of John M'Kee, Downpatrick, to Susanna M'Kerran, youngest daughter of the late Hamilton Sloan and Mrs. Sloan, Comber.

Roll of Honour

MOORE -- Died while a prisoner of war of wounds received in action, Alexander Moore, Royal Irish Rifles. He was buried in North Cemetery, Dusseldorf, on 26th May.
We trust in the hour of his danger
His Saviour was close to his side,
To take him up home, to His mansions,
Prepared far away in the skies.
And on that bright Resurrection,
When sorrow and sighing are o'er,
We hope to meet with our hero son,
Away on yon heavenly shore.
Deeply lamented by his loving Father, Mother, and Sister, 72 Bridge Street,
Lisburn.

MOORE -- Died at Dusseldorf, Germany, on May 25, of wounds received in action, Alexander Moore, Royal Irish Rifles, of 72 Bridge Street, Lisburn.
We did not clasp your hand, dear brother,
Your face we did not see;
We were not there to say good-bye,
But we'll remember thee.
Deeply mourned by his loving Sister and Brother-in-law, LIZZIE and JOHN NICHOLSON (the latter on active service). 1 Back Lane, Lisburn.

Clippings

SOME EXTRACTS FROM THE

RECORDS OF OLD LISBURN

AND THE MANOR OF KILLULTAGH.

-- -- --

Edited by JAMES CARSON.

-- -- --

XCII.

-- -- --

THE MONTGOMERY MANUSCRIPTS, 1603-1706.

Edited, with Notes, by Rev. George Hill, 1869.

The Montgomery Manuscripts were written by William Montgomery, of Rosemount, in the County of Down, between the years 1696 and 1706. They consist of memoirs of various members of the Montgomery family, and constitute a valuable contribution to the history of Ulster during the seventeenth century. The notes supplied by Mr. Hill are voluminous, illuminating, and interesting, and from them the following extracts are taken. The volume consists of almost 500 pages.

Killultagh.

Killultagh or Killulta was anciently known as Coill-Ulltach, "Wood of Ulster." It was not, strictly speaking, a part of Clannaboy, north or south, but was generally regarded as a territory or district per se. It is now included in the County of Antrim, and (with the small additions of the parish of Tullyrusk, three townlands of Derriaghy, and the east portion of the parish of Camlin) constitutes the present barony of Upper Massereene. Dr. Reeves defines Killulta as containing the present parishes of Ballinderry, Aghalee, Aghagallon, Magheramesk, Magheragall, and the portion of Blaris north of the river Lagan. -- Eccles. Antiquities. An account of the boundaries of Killulta and a list of its townlands are to be found in the Inquisition of 1623; also, Calend. of Pat. Rolls.

Woods of Killultagh.

In the year 1625 there was issued a decree signed "Longford, Master of the Rolls," in a suit between Hugh, lord viscount Montgomery, and "Dame Amy Conway, widow and administratrix of Sir Foulke Conway, deceased," confirming to the lady Amy permission to cut trees and woods, mentioned in a certain order of the Court, for the use of her iron works, and all manner of woods and underwoods growing on the lands of Slutt McNeale.

The iron works referred to were situated in Malone, probably, at the place called New Forge. These works were rented by a Mr. Stevenson in 1633; he was succeeded by Mr. Robert Barre before 1638. In 1641 Mr. Lawson held them, and sustained a very heavy loss by their destruction during the rebellion of that year. A commission was appointed in 1625 to inquire what waste had been committed in the woods in the territory or country called Slutt Neales, by lord viscount Montgomery, lord viscount Clannaboy, sir Foulke Conway, and the late Amy Conway, widow of sir Foulke. This commission reported that there were then standing on the lands, of the size of six inches at the butt, 8,883 trees; and that there had been cut on the lands, of oak of the same size, 11,631. The commissioners also found that there had been cut for the use of lord Chichester, for the building of his houses at Knockfergus and Belfast, 500 oaks. One Adam Montgomery, for two summers, with three or few workmen, cut forty trees; master Dalway cut three score trees; Anthony Cosleth, who was tenant of sir Moses Hill, cut 127 trees on the land of Blaris. The commissioners also stated that the roofs of the churches of Grey Abbey and Cumber, and a store of timber for the lord of Ards' buildings at Newtone and Donaghadee, had been taken from the woods; and a great store, far the manufacture of pipe staves, hogshead staves, barrel staves, kieve staves, and spokes for carts.

Edward Conway.

Sir Fulk Conway, the founder of the Hertford family in Ulster bearing this surname, died in 1624, and was succeeded by his brother Edward, who was then 50 years of age. The latter had been knighted by the earl of Essex, in the year 1596, at Cadiz, where he was in command of an infantry regiment. The same year in which he succeeded to his brother's vast estates he was appointed one of the principal secretaries of state, and created baron Conway of Ragly, in Warwickshire. In the following year he was created, by Charles I., viscount Conway of Conway Castle, in Wales. Although twice appointed to the office of secretary, James I. used to say of him that he could "neither read nor write,", and Clarendon wrote of him that he had performed the duties of that high trust "with notable insufficiency." He died in 1630, and was succeeded by his son, also named Edward, the second viscount, who died in 1655. The son of the latter, also Edward, was created earl of Conway in 1679, and died in 1683.

Edward Conway was appointed by Ormond to the command of the English regiment in Ulster from which his father had been removed by the committee of the Parliament. His father, the second viscount Conway, objected to the covenant, and refused to sign it, on the grounds that its acceptance was not one of the original articles agreed to between the Government and the officers of the British forces in Ulster. The parliamentary committee appointed the second lord Blaney as colonel of the regiment in his stead; but the officers of the regiment refused to accept the latter, preferring to have Edward Conway, son of their former leader. The father, although refusing to take the covenant, became quite pliant to parliamentary rule for the sake of preserving his estates, and recommended his son to adopt the same course. The following extract is taken from a letter addressed to his son on this point, and dated London, September 24, 1645:-- "I did once think not to have written, for he that brings this to you knows most perfectly all that concerns this place and these times; but I have heard something which makes me think it most necessary for me ti write to you. Sir Patrick Weames is come to London from Dublin, and sayeth that Lieut.-Colonel Jones is in Dublin, and that you have received a commission for the regiment from my Lord of Ormond, and the result of this is you and the officers of the regiment are not to be trusted; if the Parliament believe this, they wil have cause to dispose of the regiment, so as they may be assured of it. The commissioners that do now go into Ireland are very honest gentlemen. Mr. Onslowe and Sir Robert King I know very well, and you shall do well to address yourself to them, that they may make good report of you hither. I have spoken with Ned Burgh at large when he was here; you shall do well to speak with him; take heed to yourself, and keep the good opinion of this place. There was one that answered to that, that you had a commission for the regiment sent from the Marquis of Ormond; that you were not to be blamed because that he might do it without your seeking; but it was certain that the Parliament was sent to, and desired to give you a commission. I have answered for Lieut.-Colonel Jones all that I could; you shall do well to speak with him, and I hope that he will satisfy the commissioners. If there be any officer whom you know to be disaffected to the Parliament, so that the putting of him out may be a good service, you shall do well to put him out, having told the commissioners of him." -- Rawdon Papers. The concluding sentence of this extract contains but a scurvy advice from a father to his son, and especially as the former had himself been "put out" of the same service not long before the date of this letter. The son became a wise man -- a philosopher, in fact -- and never hazarded the loss of his estates by any reckless adhesion to political conventions.

Gamester's Fort.

"Lisnagarvy, Lios na g-cearbhach, 'the gamester's fort,' is the present name of a townland adjoining Lisburn, and was also the name of the town until the middle of seventeenth century. In 1635 it was written Linsley Garvin. The MS. account of the battle of 1641 in the old Vestry Book is headed 'Lisnegarvey, 28th Nov., 1641.' The town may have changed name after its burning in that year. In the, charter of Charles II., 1662, it Is called Lisburne, alias Lisnagarvie. In Jeremey Taylor's 'Works' are 'Rules and Advices to the Clergy of the Diocese of Down and Connor, given at the Visitation of Lisnegarvey.'" In Story's "True and Impartial History" we have the following account of the tradition then prevailing (1691) in reference to the origin of this name:-- "And then on Monday, the second of September, we marched beyond Lisburn; this is one of the prettiest inland towns in the North of Ireland, and one of the most English-like places in the kingdom; the Irish name is Lishnegarvey, which they tell me signifies the Gamester's Mount; for a little to the north-east of the town there is a mount moated about, and another to the south-west; these were formerly surrounded with a great wood, and thither resorted all the Irish outlaws, to play at cards and dice: one of the most considerable among them having lost all, even his cloaths, went in a passion in the middle of the night to the house of a nobleman in that country, who before had set a considerable sum on his head; and in this mood he surrendered himself his prisoner; which the other considering of, pardoned him; and afterwards this town was built, when the knot of rogues was broke, which was done chiefly by the help of this one man; the town is so modern, however, that Camden takes no notice of it."

(To be Continued.)

=========================

IRISH CATHEDRAL ORGANIST INTERNED.

"The Irish police have," says the "Westminster Gazette," "arrested Rudolff Newmann, organist in Longford Cathedral, and professor of music in the local colleges, as an alien enemy. He had been some years in the district, but had not taken out naturalisation papers. He was removed to an internment camp in the Isle of Man."

=========================

GALWAY LADY'S RUSSIAN LOSSES.

A "Tuam Herald" correspondent stales that Miss French, of Monivea Castle, who, when she sold her Galway estates, invested the proceeds in Russian bonds, has now, through the action of the Bolshevik Government, lost almost every penny, and has also been deprived of all her vast estates, her horses, and the rich furniture in her houses.

=========================

In Cork, while a pony was feeding from a bucket, a man stooped over the utensil to remove it, and the animal snapped at him and bit off one of his ears.

There are 14 Canadian nursing sisters and 5 Canadian doctors reported missing, believed drowned, in Tuesday's casualty lists. They are probably victims of the sinking of a hospital ship.

=========================

WHITE MOUNTAIN SHOOTING AFFRAY

ACCUSED FOUND NOT GUILTY.

At County Antrim Assizes on Wednesday, before the Right Hon. Mr. Justice Gordon and a jury, John Smith, gamekeeper, White Mountain, was indicted for assaulting John Buchanan, thereby occasioning him actual bodily harm.

John Buchanan, Clovelly Street, Belfast, a member of the Army Reserve, said on Sunday, the 27th January, his son, brother, and he went up the Springfield Road. They had a fox terrier and a greyhound with them. After going some distance they crossed a field in which there were notice boards warning trespassers. They went into an adjoining field, and prisoner and another man then went towards them. Prisoner, who was carrying a gun, asked-- "Do you know where you are?" and witness replied, "No." Prisoner then said that was the Divis estate, and witness answered that when he was there before he could hunt as much as he liked. "Well, you won't do it now," said the prisoner, who thereupon struck witness with his fist. Witness seized hold of the gun and there was a struggle, in the course of which the gun "went off." Prisoner went about six yards back to the place where his companion was standing, and witness proceeded towards the road. On looking round he saw Smith aiming the gun at him. Prisoner pulled the trigger, but the weapon missed fire. He withdrew the cartridge and put in another, which he got from his companion, and fired at witness, who was struck in the leg. Witness's brother carried him to Hannahstown, and from there he was conveyed to the hospital in a car.

In cross-examination, witness denied having struck Smith on the forehead with a stick.

William R. Buchanan and James Buchanan, brother and son of the last witness, gave corroborative evidence.

Dr. F. C. Mitchell, who examined John Buchanan when he was taken to hospital, said he had 64 shot wounds in the leg. He remained in hospital for 55 days.

Sergeant T. A. Fraser, Dunmurry, said he saw Smith after the occurrence on the 27th January. Prisoner was pale and exhausted, and had a small cut over the right eye and another on the left arm. In a statement which he made and signed the prisoner said when he saw the Buchanans in the grounds he told them to go back on to the road. John Buchanan replied that they would not go out, and added that if he (prisoner) interfered with them or the dogs he would have his life. He also said he was from a place where he had shot fifty better men than the prisoner, and that if he (the accused) sent for three or four more men he would beat them all. John Buchanan then hit him with a stick, knocking him to the ground. He also took away his gun. Megarry tried to wrest the gun from him, and during the struggle the weapon exploded. Afterwards, when John Buchanan was again making to strike him, prisoner pulled the trigger in order to frighten him. Prisoner added that he had ordered these men off the same ground about twelve months ago, and they then threatened to take his life.

James Megarry said he was on the Divis estate with the prisoner on this occasion. Prisoner told the Buchanans that they would have to leave as the land was reserved, and John Buchanan retorted that they would go when they liked, and if Smith attempted to interfere with them he would have his life. John Buchanan then took the gun from Smith and handed it to his brother. Witness tried to recover the weapon, which "went off" during the scuffle. John Buchanan holding a stick in his hand, rushed towards prisoner and said he would split his skull open. Prisoner warned him not to hit him again, adding that if he did he would have to fire on him. Buchanan then rushed toward him, and Smith pulled the trigger. Prisoner did not place the gun to his shoulder.

Mr. Hanna -- Did you give a cartridge to Smith? -- No; I had no cartridges.

Dr. W. M. Hunter (Crumlin), examined by Mr. Hanna for the defence, said he treated Smith for contused wounds on the right eyebrow and forearm, and bruises on the left ribs. The latter could have been caused by kicks. He also treated Megarry for bruises and a wound on the left hand, which could have been caused by a stick.

Mr. William Kennedy stated later that he was the proprietor of the Divis Mountain, which he let to Mr. Mackey. Smith was his (witness's) shepherd and Mr. Mackey's gamekeeper. Notices as to trespassing were shown in all the fields. It was, he declared, a desperate place for poachers.

Mr. Hanna submitted that the position of the wounds on Buchanan indicated that Smith did not fire with criminal intent, but discharged the gun without aiming and under the impulse of self-defence.

His Lordship said the questions for the Jury were -- "Was the accused man justified in firing the shot?" and "Did the accused man really intend to hit anyone or was he merely frightening an assailant?" In a case like that, involving the use of a dangerous weapon, the whole circumstances should be calmly and fully reviewed.

The accused was found not guilty and discharged.

Mr. M'Gonigal, K.C., said having regard to that verdict, and the whole circumstances of the case having been gone into, he thought the ends of justice would be met by entering a nolle prosequi in the charges of assault preferred against John Buchanan and William Robert Buchanan and arising out of the same incident.

His Lordship said he did not disagree with the jury at all. He agreed that the course proposed by the Crown was probably, under all the circumstances, the best.

A nolle prosequi was accordingly entered on the indictment against John and William Buchanan.

=========================

VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY

IN DUNMURRY MANSLAUGHTER CASE.

A verdict of not guilty was returned on Monday at County Antrim Assizes -- before the Right Hon. Mr. Justice Gordon -- in the case in which James Creighton, chauffeur, Belfast, was indicted for the manslaughter of Isabella Gray at Dunmurry on the 14th April.

Mr. T. J. Campbell, K.C. (instructed by Mr. John Graham), appeared for the defence.

It was stated that the deceased woman, a hawker, was walking alongside a caravan which was proceeding from Lisburn to Belfast, about 10 p.m., on the 14th April, when a motor car came up from behind. The caravan, according to the deceased's son, Herbert Gray, was on the left-hand side of the road, and the motor car, which was driven by the accused, ran on to the footpath on the same side. Mrs. Gray was knocked down, and died almost immediately. The witness said he did not see prisoner at the place where the collision occurred. The motor car was driven away by a man whom witness pointed out at the back of the court. There were no lights on the car.

Sergeant Fraser read a statement made by the accused when arrested. Prisoner said he was a chauffeur employed in Belfast, but on this occasion he had driven to Lambeg a gentleman who had come from Ayr. Near Dunmurry he saw two caravans, the first of which was "across the road," with the horse's head turned to the left. He swerved the car a little to the left in order to get past, and then saw two persons in front, apparently going to the footpath from the horse's head. They shouted, and he did all he could to prevent the car from colliding with them. On hearing another shout, he swerved to the right and brought the car to a standstill. A number of men and women crowded round, and threatened to best him. He did not know that the woman had been seriously injured, otherwise he would have insisted on taking her to hospital. Prisoner added that the lamps on the car were lighted when the accident happened, and he sounded the horn on seeing the caravans. He had been driving a motor car for eleven rears, and this was the first accident in which he had been concerned.

Henry Doherty, who was in the motor car, said it was carrying two side lights and a tail light. There were no lights on the caravan. The prisoner was perfectly sober, and was driving carefully.

John Smith, the man pointed out by Herbert Gray as being thee person who drove away the car after the accident, said he had never seen Gray before, and he was not near Dunmurry on the 11th April.

Mr. Campbell said the caravan had no lights, and prisoner did not see it until he was right on it. He then did everything in his power to avert the accident.

After a very brief absence, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and the accused was acquitted.

=========================

LISBURN ASSURANCE FORGERY CASE

GILMORE PLEADS GUILTY.

DISCHARGED UNDER FIRST OFFENDERS ACT.

At County Antrim Assizes on Tuesday, before the Right Hon. Mr. Justice Gordon, Albert Gilmore, Beechside Terrace, Lisburn, was put forward on an indictment charging him with having at Lisburn on 31st January obtained from James M'Clements Adair, assistant superintendent of the Refuge Assurance Company, a sum of £22 by means of a forged deed at assignment purporting to assign to him two policies of insurance.

Accused pleaded guilty, and Mr. T. W. Brown, K.C. (instructed by Mr. N. Tughan), asked his Lordship to exercise clemency in the case. It was the accused's first lapse. He had paid a considerable sum of money in premiums, and there was a debt due to him by the deceased man concerned in the policies. He had not recognised the gravity of the action, and had a wife and family. Arrangements had been made by him for the repayment of the money to the Insurance Company, and his present employer gave him a high character.

His Lordship ordered the accused's discharge under the First Offenders Act.

=========================

Some 550 Irish migratory labourers have crossed from Dublin for the harvest in Scotland.

=========================

GREAT COUNTER STROKE.

-- -- -- --

BRILLIANT FRANCO-AMERICAN VICTORY.

-- -- -- --

ATTACK ON 28-MILE FRONT.

-- -- -- --

BEST DAY FOR ALLIES SINCE 1914.

-- -- -- --

Yesterday was the greatest day for the Allies since 1914. In a few hours the Franco-American troops, by a great flanking movement, turned the whole face of the war.

In reply to the big German offensive, which opened on a fifty-mile front early on Monday morning without any great material gain to the enemy, our Allies, without any artillery preparation but supported by tanks, attacked on a 28-mile front, and secured their objectives along the whole line of attack, penetrating to a maximum distance of eight miles, and capturing 20 villages, 30 guns, and 4,000 prisoners.

By this flanking attack, which was a complete surprise to the Germans, military experts believe an end has been put to the enemy offensive from Chateau Thierry to Champagne, where, by the way, our Allies have captured Prunay. In six hours, it is pointed out, the French have advanced further than the Germans did in three days.

The importance of this great enterprise, says the Central News, is that it has attained all the objectives, and will probably put an end to the German offensive as an offensive. The Press Association declares that the advance has put an end to the German offensive, and Rheims can be considered comparatively safe.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

"GERMANY HAS SHOT HER BOLT."

A surgeon at one of the military hospitals in Paris, who has made a special study of the psychology of the wounded on their arrival after the battle, tells me (says a Press Association correspondent) he has proved that their moral is a sure barometer of how the fight has gone and is going. Never, he said, since the battle of the Marne has he seen the wounded so gay, so confident, and so full of high spirits. The opinion among them is that, Germany has shot her last bolt. They point to each succeeding offensive since 21st March as being weaker than the last, and they say that this one is little less than a complete failure.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

THE NEWS IN NEW YORK.

The news has been received with great satisfaction in the United States. On the New York Stock Exchange it was received with ringing cheers, which were kept up for a considerable time.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

IMPORTANCE OF YESTERDAY'S VICTORY.

The "Daily News" remarks:-- General Foch, who of late has been brilliantly served by his Intelligence Department, saw his chance, and took it. As for the manner of his attack, it resembled closely, the tactics employed last autumn at Cambrai. The German resistance appears nowhere to have been formidable, and the advance was too swift to admit of the arrival of reserves in effective numbers. The purpose of the attack was clearly much more than a mere diversion, though even as a diversion its effect would be substantial. Its true objective was the enemy's communications, and since that objective appears to have been reached at almost every point, it is possible that General Foch will be content to hold the territory he has won without attempting to push his advantage further.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

A REMARKABLY BRILLIANT STROKE.

The "Daily Chronicle" says:-- General Foch's counter-stroke comes as a surprise to us, and we must hope that it surprised the enemy no less. The first day's news of it is excellent. The ground recovered includes the important hills outside Soissons which dominate the exits from that town and give direct artillery observation over its important railway junction. If it can be permanently held it will considerably improve and strengthen the eastern face of the big French salient covering Paris. How far it may otherwise affect the big German salient south of the Aisne it is early to speculate, but at present it looks as though most, if not all, of the railways on which the enemy depends for the supply of his troops within the salient may shortly be brought under the fire of the French artillery. It is a remarkably brilliant stroke, both in its conception and in its execution.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

NEW POSITIONS STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT.

The "Belfast News-Letter" says:-- A remarkable feature, of this counter-attack is that the French achieved better results in six hours than the Germans obtained in their advance on both sides of Rheims in three days. The new French positions are strategically important. The junction of the railways from Soissons to Ouchy-le-Chateau, and from Soissons to Fismes, is under direct observation and fire. These two lines are the only ones by which the Germans in this salient can be supplied, and they will soon be in a very critical situation if our Allies are able to hold all their gains.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

COMPARATIVE QUIET ON BRITISH FRONT.

Australian troops have advanced their lines south-east of Villers-Bretonneux on a front of over a mile. They captured two field guns and a number of machine guns.

=========================

COLONEL WINS V.C.

Connected with Lambeg Family.

The King has been pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Edward Hudson, D.S.O., M.C., Notts and Derbyshire Regiment, who is a brother-in-law of Mrs. T. H. Hudson, daughter of BrevetLieutenant-Colonel R. Airth Richardson, late of Lambeg House, Lisburn--

For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when his battalion was holding the right front sector during an attack on the British front. The shelling had been very heavy on the right, the trench destroyed, and considerable casualties had occurred, and all the officers on the spot were killed or wounded. This enabled the enemy to penetrate our front line. The enemy pushed their advance as far as the support line, which was the key to our right flank. The situation demanded immediate action. Lieutenant-Colonel Hudson, recognising its gravity, at once collected various headquarter details, such as orderlies, servants, runners, &c, together with some Allies, personally led them up the hill. Driving the enemy down the hill towards our front line, he again led a party of about five up the trench, where there were about 200 enemy, in order to attack them from the flank. He then with two men got out of the trench and rushed the position, shouting to the enemy to surrender, some of whom did. He was then severely wounded by a bomb which exploded on his foot. Although in great pain, he gave directions for the counter-attack to be continued, and this was done successfully, about 100 prisoners and six machine guns being taken. Without doubt the high courage and determination displayed by Lieutenant-Colonel Hudson saved a serious situation, and had it not been for his quick determination in organising the counter-attack a large number of the enemy would have dribbled through, and counter-attack on a larger scale would have been necessary to restore the situation.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

LISBURN SOLDIER DIES IN GERMANY.

Information was received on Monday by his parents, who reside at 72 Bridge Street, Lisburn, that Rifleman Alexander Moore, Royal Irish Rifles, had died as a prisoner of war at Dusseldorf, on the Rhine, of wounds received in action at St. Quentin. Rifleman Moore joined up with the South Antrims on the formation of the Ulster Division, and had been with it at the Somme, in Flanders, and at Cambrai, experiencing his fair share of the hard knocks of warfare, gas included. He was aged 23, and an only son. A brother-in-law is also on active service.

Lisburn Standard - Friday, 26 July, 1918

Birth

CLARK -- July 20, at Ardtullagh, Holywood, the wife of George E. Clark, of a son.

Marriage

TAYLOR--STEWART -- July 24, at Knockbreda Church, by the Rev. H. H. Brett, Rector of St. Peter's William Taylor, of Ardeen, Belfast, second son of the late Victor C. Taylor, to Elizabeth Margaret Stewart, 8 Mount Charles, youngest daughter of the late Rev. Canon Stewart, of Knockbreda.

Death

M'GIFFORD -- July 22 (suddenly, result of accident), at Lincoln, William John M'Gifford, the beloved husband of Margaret M'Gifford, 358 Donegall Road, Belfast.

Clippings

SOME EXTRACTS FROM THE

RECORDS OF OLD LISBURN

AND THE MANOR OF KILLULTAGH.

-- -- --

Edited by JAMES CARSON.

-- -- --

XCIII.

-- -- --

THE MONTGOMERY MANUSCRIPTS, 1803-1706.

Edited, with Notes, by Rev. George Hill, 1869.

(Continued.)

Lisnastrain.

After the reduction of the several garrisons in Ulster in 1649, the Parliamentary commanders routed the last royalist force in this district, commanded by Viscount Montgomery, the Earl of Clanbrassil, and Sir George Monro, at a place called Lisnastrain, in the parish of Drumbeg, County of Down. Ormond had sent reinforcements to the Ulster royalists, under the command of Daniel O'Neill and Mark Trevor, but this force (which would probably have been very important, being led by such distinguished officers) came too late. Nearly all that is known of this decisive battle at Lisnastrain, near Lisburn, is contained in a tract printed in London soon after its occurrence, and entitled "Two Letters from William Basil, Esq., Attorney-General of Ireland; the one to the Right Honourable John Bradshaw, Lord President of the Council of State; the other to the Right Honourable William Lenthal, Esq., Speaker of the Parliament of England, of a great victory obtained by the parliament force in the North of Ireland, on the plains of Lisnegarvy, against the enemy there, wherein were 1,400 slain, Colonel John Hamilton taken prisoner, and seventeen more of quality. With a relation of the taking of Drumcree; and of the surrender of Carrickfergus."

Whitelock, in his "Memorials of English Affairs from Charles I. to the Restoration," has given the substance of the letters, adding one or two rumours not mentioned by Basil. Thus, he states that the Lord Clandeboy "was slain, or sunk in a bog, being corpulent," and that "Colonel Montgomery was taken prisoner." Lord Clandeboy escaped, and lived until the year 1659; and Colonel Montgomery, after having surrendered, was brutally shot.

Portmore.

Earl Conway's letters to his brother-in-law, Sir George Rawdon of Moira, express the writer's desire to introduce all useful and ornamental productions to his parks and lakes in Killultagh. Writing from Ragley, in July, 1665, he says-- "I have advised with Garrett about the hempseed, and he thinks, considering he cannot go into Flanders because of the sickness, it may be provided in England, if you desire it; and that, for the future 2 or 3 acres of that land in the Tunny Park (on Lough Neagh shore) which is newly stubbed up; would furnish you plentifully. If the cranes which you mention do live and will thrive, I intend, God willing, to have them brought over, tho' it be by an express messenger; and in the meantime, it would be convenient to employ some such person about them as would be fit to bring them over. I pray acquaint John Totnal that I desire him to get some beehives at the Tunny Park; for if ever I live to come into that country. I believe, I shall use a great deal of honey, as I do at this present, and have, I thank God, kept myself a great while thereby free from any fits of the stone, and do daily void so much gravel by the use thereof, as is hardly to be believed." On the 9th of February following he writes-- "I have got two couple of right decoy ducks and a drake, such as will fly abroad every night and return in the morning; these I will send over within a fortnight, and I will send to all the decoys in England till I have brought mine into such a condition as it ought to be." Writing from London in October, 1667, he adds this postscript to his letter:-- "I have sent a hamper with 3 boxes in it, and 2 cases with trees; the boxes have in them flowers, roots, and seeds, such as my gardner writ for from Lisburn. They cost me £14, as you shall see by the particulars; they are very choice things, and very good." In these letters the Earl also directs that cranes, dogs, frise, black and grey, and usquebagh may be sent to him in England -- the last-mentioned commonly being always supplied by his sister. Lady Rawdon. -- "Rawdon Papers."

Rev. James Mace.

James Mace, B.D., was appointed rector of Blaris, alias Lisburn, February 18, 1617. He succeeded Dr. George Rust on his promotion to the Diocese of Dromore. Mace was also appointed to the vicarage of Derriaghy, near Lisburn, same day, also vacant by the promotion of Dr. Rust. The Crown has the presentation of these a bishoprick." James Mace was probably the son of John Mace, one of the settlers in Lisburn under Sir Fulk Conway. Viscount Conway and Killulta, writing to his brother-in-law, Major George Rawdon, in June, 1638, says-- "My mother writes to me that John Mace's son intends to carry over all the rest of the children, and expects £8 of me to bear their charges, which I shall not do until I have your directions."

Sir George Rawdon.

This surname is variously spelled Royden, Rauden, Rowden, Rawden, and Rawdon. George Rawdon was the only son of Francis Rawdon of Rawdon, near Leeds, and was born in the year 1604. He was secretary to the first Lord Conway, who died in 1630. By the latter he was, probably, induced to settle in Ulster, where he obtained extensive landed property at Moira. On the breaking out of the rebellion in 1641 he gallantly held Lisburn against a large force of the Irish, under Sir Phelim O'Neill. The insurgents, in their retreat, burnt down his then recently-erected mansion at Brookhill, carrying away £3,000 worth of chattels and plate. In 1665 he was created a baronet of England; and for his many and valiant services to the Crown obtained large grants of land in the counties of Down, Dublin, Louth and Meath. His first wife was Ursula Stafford, a daughter of Sir Francis Stafford of Portglenone, who had been previously married to Francis Hill of Hill-Hall. This lady died at Brookhill in 1640, when only thirty years of age. Sir George Rawdon married secondly, in 1654, Dorothy, eldest daughter of Edward, second Viscount Conway, and sister of Edward, Earl Conway. Sir George received large dowries by both his ladies. He died in 1684, in the 80th year of his age, and was buried in Lisburn.

Sir Thomas Newcomen was a family connexion of the Rawdons of Moira, his nephew, the second Earl of Granard, having married the sister of Sir Arthur Rawdon. He was very anxious that the latter should not be drawn away with the other Northern Protestants to oppose James II. On this subject he wrote several letters to Lady Rawdon, evidently intended to work on her ladyship's fears. In one of these letters, dated 17th January, 1688, he says -- "Since my last to you, madam, I am glad to know that, tho' 'twas debated whether the gentlemen I talked of should be proclaimed traytors or no, 'tis resolved to defer anything of that nature till further provocation is given; therefore, my serious advice to Sir Arthur, and the rest mentioned in my last, is, that they do no act that may rise up in judgment against them; for I assure you that the King is expected here in person . . . I do advise all Protestants to behave themselves, so as to give no offence to the Government, till the King's pleasure is known; but if the Protestants in that country go about to disarm Catholics, 'twill be the means to draw down forces thither, foot, horse, and dragoons, that may bring the rabble and their to an account . . . If your husband was advised by me, he would do as he did in Monmouth's rebellion: offer to raise men to serve the King, and by that means entitle himself to Mulgrave and Seymour's estates in Ireland, out of which, he was so notoriously wronged." In the concluding sentence Sir Thomas appeals in a cunning way to the lady's selfishness, and through her to her husband, Sir Arthur Rawdon, who was nephew of Earl Conway, then lately deceased. The latter had been induced, by some means, to leave his estate of Killultagh to the Seymours, which, of course, was a great disappointment to the Rawdon family, who were more nearly related to him. Lady Rawdon appears to have listened favourably to Sir Thomas's suggestion, and even to have supplied him with important information respecting the movements of Northern Protestants. In reply to one of her letters Sir Thomas writes as follows, in January, 1688:-- "I am bound, madam, to give your ladyship my hearty thanks for your last message received by an express at the head of my men near Dromore; and as for the 7,000 rabble, they did not come at me, and if they had, I would have given them as hearty a reception as I could; and in acquittal of your ladyship's kindness I thought it my duty to let you know how matters go here in relation to our King's affairs . . . My serious advice is that your husband (for the memory of whose parents I retain all the respect imaginable) forbear rendezvouzing hereafter, in imitation of his cunning neighbour, Sir Robert Colvill, who obeyed my Lord Tyrconnel's summons in coming up to town; and let me tell yon there are false brethren in that country, for instance Mr. Waring of Clonconnel, who writ up lately that he was afraid some hot headed young men of his religion and neighbourhood would ruin themselves and others." Sir Thomas was smarting, when he wrote this letter, under a rather ludicrous discomfiture which had befallen him at Lisburn. The "rabble" of which he speaks formed part of the unarmed Protestant forces levied in Down, who had determined to seize the arms of Tyrconnell's troops at Lisburn, Belfast, and, Carrickfergus. Those appointed to do this work at Lisburn, where Sir Thomas Newcomen commanded, actually accomplished it, but hearing that their brethren had failed (or rather refused to proceed with it) at Belfast and Carrickfergus, they returned the arms they had taken from Newcomen's men, subtracting, however, from his small force 150 Protestants, which so alarmed and weakened him that he was compelled to beat a hasty retreat to Dublin.

Sir Arthur Rawdon was one of those excepted from mercy by Tyrconnell's proclamation of March 7, 1688, "in regard," as therein stated, "he had been one of the principal actors of the rebellion, and one of those who advised and fomented the same, and inveigled others to be involved therein." He died in 1695, aged 33 years. His wife, Helena, granddaughter of William, Earl of Monteith and Airth, is said to have been a woman of exquisite good sense and taste, and of unwearied charity to the poor. She was also a great heiress, her mother being Isabella, eldest daughter of John Bramhall, Archbishop of Armagh. Lady Rawdon also inherited the estates of her brother, Sir John Bramhall, of Ruthmullyan (now Rathmolynon), County of Meath.

(Next Week: Bishop Jeremy Taylor.)

=========================

PRISONER OF WAR'S EXPERIENCE.

-- -- --

"THE BEST CAMP IN GERMANY."

-- -- --

AND ANOTHER.

-- -- --

Among prisoners of war recently exchanged was Lieut. Norman Wells, of the Canadian Mounted Rifles. He spent nearly two years in captivity, and has written an interesting narrative of his experiences. Of his first internment camp, at Friedberg, despite the dirt of the place and food that was often "awful and quite uneatable," he speaks in almost affectionate terms because of the relative kindness and considerateness of the officers in charge. In March, 1917, they were moved to Clausthal. Of this change he writes:--

We were sorry to leave Friedberg, though we had not the slightest idea that we were leaving the best camp in Germany. While we were there we were always grousing, and usually, for a very good cause, but the 1914 officers thought that the improvement of this camp over others was owing to the fact that the Germans had at last realised their mistake in treating prisoners badly.

The 1914 officers were mistaken!

We left Friedberg at 7 o'clock on the morning of the 20th March with the acurrance that the journey was one of twelve or thirteen hours. We were actually in the train for about 27 hours in unheated carriages. The carriages were the usual cushionless third-class, and every mile the cold got worse. Two of our senior captains skipped off the train and managed to reach Holland. This occurred soon after we started. Before we reached the end of our journey it was snowing hard, and I suppose the temperature was a little below zero, or between 30 and 40 degrees of frost. During the whole of the journey we received no food or drink from the German authorities, excepting one lukewarm cup of acorn coffee each, for which we paid one mark per cup (without milk or sugar). Fortunately we had brought a certain amount of food with us. When we reached Clausthal the snow was about a foot deep and it was still snowing. We were in awfully bad condition by this time, half-frozen, so stiff that we could scarcely move at first, and tired out, yet the first news we got was that we had to carry our suit-cases through the snow to the camp about two miles away. There were several men with us who were lame or ill, but no conveyance was provided. A lot of us dumped our bags down on the platform and refused to carry them, so they came up next day.

We reached the camp finally, and were ushered into a large dining-room, where we were treated to an astounding speech by the commandant, in the best Prussian manner. This consisted of yelling at the top of one's voice in the most insulting way imaginable. We were then stripped and searched, and were not allowed to go to bed until three o'clock the following morning; we received no food during the time, and were unable to obtain water. Then most of us were sent down to the huts, which were icy cold, and went to bed with all our clothes on.

We had our first view of the camp the next day. It consisted of a wooden hotel, built in the shoddiest German fashion, and three wooden huts divided into rooms. In the hotel the dining-room was heated, but all the other rooms were unheated. The winter lasted about six months in the year, and we sometimes had 40 degrees of frost. The huts were supposed to get two buckets of coal every three days per room; these were half the size of an ordinary bucket. The consequence was that 250 officers had to spend all their time in a dirty dining-room, which was much to small even for its avowed object. We used to bribe the German soldiers and get coal by this means, but even then we could rarely get enough. For the winter 1917-1918 no coal was allowed.

Keep Off the Grass.

The grounds of Che camp were extremely small, and part had an additional wire fence to separate it from the rest of the camp; this wired-off piece, which was shaped like a leg of mutton, held two tennis courts and a piece of ground which in area was equal perhaps to three tennis courts, and which we turned into a miniature golf course. The rest consisted of a tiny plot of grass, where a few bushes grew, and where we occasionally sat out in the summer. Inside the camp were little bits of garden and grass all surrounded by barbed wire, as also were the huts. Their idea apparently was to save the grass and trees from being injured and the sentries had orders to shoot any officer who went through this wire to get anything. I hope I have made it plain that this was nothing to do with escaping. Of course things were dropping out of the windows of the huts continually, and balls would go in the forbidden areas; yet if any officer fetched them be was liable to lose his life. One officer was actually shot at, but the sentry missed, and his effort was greeted with howls of laughter. It would not have been at all surprising if he had loosed his rifle off at us for laughing; if he had killed anyone he would have got the Iron Cross undoubtedly. In addition to the two tennis courts, we built two squash courts, so we got a certain amount of exercise, though our arrangements did not go far amongst 250 men.

To return to our arrival at Clausthal. After we had been there a week the issue of tins was stopped for eight days, and that of parcels for two weeks. This was it pure schweinerei, and we were given no reason for it. It was particularly annoying in the case of bread, which we knew was being ruined, apart from the fact that the camp was swarming with rats and mice, which always went through every parcel which was not opened immediately.

We had no walks for four months. As a matter of fact we had one, but some days after this had taken place three officers escaped, and the Germans said that they would be probably charged with breaking their parole, as they must have used their eyes during the walk and seen the surrounding country. We all handed in our parole cards the following day.

The "Jug."

The "jug" was next door to the pigsty, and had been condemned even by the German inspectors; nevertheless one man was kept there for months. Eventually a hut was built containing 16 cells, and those were kept full always during the summer months. It was impossible to avoid "jug." Major-General Ravenshaw was given eight days for saying at a conference with the German commandant that he considered collective punishment for individual offences was "unfair." I was very lucky, and only collected three days during my stay in Hunland. I was never caught in the usual things, such as swiping parcels which contained contraband or cigarettes, and getting out tins by means of false keys, &c.; but I was exceptionally fortunate. For a long time our cigarettes were stopped, the reason given being that the French had poison for the crops sent in theirs! We used to find that the Huns had been in our rooms during our absence, and of course we missed a lot of things. We even caught a German officer feeling in the pockets of a coat when he thought no one was in the room.

Men were continually stripped and searched. Any contraband, such as a map, compasses, &c., resulted in eight days. As a matter of fact I was found with a map, but for some reason or other, my name was overlooked, so I escaped.

The beds were of iron, wooden slats, and 2-inch thick mattresses, and two blankets (with the thermometer below zero); the two together did not make one decent blanket. The rooms in the huts were disgusting places. The overcrowding was scandalous, and at least twice as many men as there should have been were is each room. No curtains were allowed; one or two rooms purchased them, and they were torn down (not taken down). For a long time we were sot allowed to have the windows open at night even in the hot summer months, but eventually the Dutch Ambassador made a fuss and we were allowed to keep them open on condition that we paid for wire screens to go over the window.

Barbarity and Illegality.

Just before I left Clausthal a few weeks ago, three officers attempted to escape and were captured. The commandant rushed up to the guard-room and commenced bullying in his usual manner. He told one man to go down on his knees to him, and when he refused to, he ordered the guard to force him to his knees, which they did.

Remember this occurred at the end of March, 1918; not 1914.

One officer (also this year), who had appealed against a sentence of two months by court-martial for some alleged offence, was successful, and the sentence was cancelled. He came back to the camp highly elated, the first man to win an appeal in Germany, and I imagine the only one. However, the same week he received a sentence of eight days' imprisonment from General von Havish, the commander of the 10th Army Corps, for the same offence, despite the fact that the court-martial had dismissed the case. The "jug" was stated to be for disciplinary purposes.

According to the Prisoners' Agreement drawn up in July, 1917, no officer was to be kept in "jug" awaiting a court-martial or sentence, but this does not matter to the Huns. In October we had a big search and everyone was ordered outside to the "appel" ground. One officer was ill and had been ordered to stay in bed by the German doctor; he explained this, but was made to go outside, and next day was charged with assaulting one of the German soldiers. Of course it was a lie, as he had not touched a man, but despite the fact that he had a number of witnesses, he was put into "jug" and kept there for ten weeks awaiting trial. This only happened about two months after the agreement had been signed.

According to the same agreement all prisoners undergoing confinement, excepting for escaping, were to be released on the 31st July. Strangely enough, the Huns kept this part of the agreement, but the following week every cell was full again, so they broke the spirit of the agreement within a few days.

Imprisonment for escaping was limited to fourteen days, but in the 10th Army Corps an officer never does less than a month, usually much more. The way they work it is like this: fourteen days for escaping, eight days for having a compass, eight days for having a map (sixteen days for two maps), eight days for a civilian hat, eight days for a civilian coat, &c, eight days for a ruck-sack, eight days for this, &c.

You will no doubt gather the absurdity of making any agreement with people like this.

Everything in our parcels was cut to bits; shaving soap often into three pieces, washing soap smashed up, bread (from the Danish and Swiss Red Cross) cut into four and sometimes six pieces, and as far as possible everything ruined. Our parcels were stolen systematically -- I was a very bad sufferer -- and our tins also. Occasionally verboten articles were discovered, but if we had received advice letters before-hand we usually got the stuff if it was properly packed. There was no object in all this business, as the Germans know as well as we do that we can get anything we want in the escaping line in other ways.

The Dogs.

Three or four dogs, trained to attack, everyone they see excepting one man who has charge of them, are turned loose inside the wire every night. That this is against the Hague Convention does not matter, of course. The dogs are also taken in the house and huts on a short leash, but as the passages are very narrow it is quite dangerous enough. One officer going into his rooms one night a few weeks ago was jumped at by one of these brutes and bitten. He was immediately charged with inciting the dog, though he has everyone in his room to swear that it is a lie. I expect he will be court-martialled and jugged!

I will not give yon any information about the treatment of our men, as evidence is being taken by a court of inquiry, and I expect the result will be published. As you know, dozens of our soldiers have been, and are, deliberately murdered, apart altogether from the vindictively cruel treatment they receive in many parts of Germany.

It in impossible to talk of peace with Germany, and it is inconceivable to prisoners of war that anyone can dream of the Germans keeping any kind of treaty or agreement. A German has not the slightest sense of honour, he never speaks the truth if he can lie, he is treacherous in every possible way, and he has the manners, customs, and ideas of a pig.

=========================

LISBURN PETTY SESSIONS.

A HEAVY CALENDAR.

These sessions were held yesterday, before Messrs. W. J. M'Murray, J.P, (presiding); Augustus Turtle, J.P.; and John M'Connell, J.P.

Youths Fined for Trespassing in Pursuit of Game.

Hugh Clenaghan summoned three youths named James Kidd, Robert Belshaw, and Edward Duffy for trespassing on his lands at Tonagh.

Mr. Joseph Allen, who appeared for Mr. Clenaghan, said that his client, who had been endeavouring to preserve the game, suffered greatly from trespass.

Clenaghan stated that he had notices up in his land stating that trespassers would be prosecuted. He was greatly troubled with people trespassing on his land and breaking down the fences. He had been trying to preserve the game. On the 1st July he saw the three defendants and another boy, whom he did not know, on his lands. They had two greyhound dogs and two terriers. One of the boys went away. When he asked defendants their names they sat down in the grass and stayed there for an hour. He got Mr. Allen to send each of them a letter, but they refused to apologise and set him at defiance.

The defendant Kidd here said that one of the dogs was a sporting dog, and he would not let it after a hare. None of the others could catch a rabbit, and besides, there were no hares in the field. (Laughter.)

Patrick Mage, herd to Mr. Clenaghan, swore there were hares on the land. He saw the boys trespassing on the day in question.

Kidd then called Belshaw to give evidence on his behalf.

The Clerk (to Belshaw) -- Do you know a man called James Kidd. -- Aye.

He is charged with trespassing in pursuit of game; can you say he was not on these lands on that day? -- He was on the lands all right.

Can you tell their Worships what the dogs were for? -- Yes. There was one greyhound, one lurcher, and two terriers. We were training them. One fellow let the dogs go, and they ran after another fellow. We were not looking for hares, Clenaghan came and took our names, and we sat down in the field.

Mr. Allen -- Have you any respect for the property of any person? -- We have.

If you were practising these dogs for Massereene why did you not go to the park?

Witness -- If you went to the park with dogs you'd be thrown out.

Mr. Allen -- Wasn't there a notice up saying that trespassers would be prosecuted.

The defendant Kidd (stepping forward) -- There is a notice up in a field about two miles away, but you could not see it. (Laughter.)

Defendants were each fined 20s, and were cautioned to keep away from the lands in future.

Another Trespass Case.

Robert Briggs, Fairview House, Causeway End, summoned Edward Duffy (a defendant in the last case), William Duffy, Charles Gribben, and James Kidd (also a defendant in the last case) for trespassing on his lands on the 13th July.

Mr. Allen, who appeared to prosecute, said defendants were the ringleaders of about fifty youths who congregated in Mr. Briggs' fields to play cards and do everything that was bad. The lands were beside the Roman Catholic cemetery, and when burial services were going on the conduct of the boys was simply scandalous.

Briggs said he found the four defendants an his lands on the date in question. There were about fifty lads in all, and he selected the four defendants as the ringleaders. There was no such thing as keeping up fences.

On defendants being asked had they anything to say, Kidd remarked -- There was no notice up in the field.

Briggs -- It would no sooner be up than it would be put into the fire and burned.

Mr. Allen pressed fur a severe penalty and 10s 6d costs in each case.

Their Worships imposed a fine of 5s and 12s 6d costs in each case, the Chairman adding that if the defendants came back the fines would be doubled.

Larceny of a Donkey.

An unkempt elderly-looking man named Bernard Campbell, whose address was given us Tullyorior, Banbridge, was put forward in custody and charged with stealing a donkey, value £5, the property of William M'Gurnaghan, Knockmore, on the 15th inst.

Sergeant Regan gave evidence of arrest. When charged, Campbell said -- I will not listen to any charge from you. I don't give a damn about you. You have insulted me on the road. The sergeant added that prisoner was riding the donkey along the road at the time of his arrest.

William M'Gurnaghan deposed that the donkey was tethered on his land. On the 15th he met defendant driving the donkey at Knockmore, near Mr. Monroe's. He told the man that the donkey was his, and he replied "You are a bloody liar." Witness then sent a boy on a bicycle for the police. The donkey had got new shoes on its front feet and its mane had been dressed since he put it in the field when leaving home on the 11th inst.

Defendant said the animal he had was a jennet, his own property. He would not plead guilty, he added; he would go to the Quarter Sessions first.

Defendant was then returned in custody to the Quarter Sessions in October.

Defendant (addressing their Worships) -- I smoke, will I be allowed tobacco or cigarettes?

Mr. English (clerk) -- You will be broken of that habit before you come out.

Had Not Backed a Winner.

Laurence Deakin, aged 14, of North Street, Belfast, was summoned for wandering on the public street at night in Lisburn without proper guardianship.

Constable Kelly said that on the 17th inst. he found the boy about 11-30 p.m. on the public street. He had no place to go. Earlier in the night he had been put out of a public-house yard. He gave a wrong name and address, and caused a lot of bother, but eventually gave his right name. His father was a very respectable man.

Mr. Maginess said that the parents (who could not attend that day) were very respectable people who owned two fruit shops in Belfast. The boy, it appeared, went to the Maze races and stayed away. There was no reason for his doing so at all. He committed no offence, and the police only did their duty in picking him up. His grandfather was there to take him back home.

Arthur Lewis, grandfather, said the boy had never left home before. He was a good scholar and very attentive to his duties in his father's shop.

The boy was cautioned as to his future conduct and then handed over to his grandfather.

Transfer of Licence.

On the application of Mr. Joseph Lockhart, solicitor, their Worships granted the temporary transfer of a spirit licence held by Mr. Brown, publican, Bow Street, to Mr. Michael M'Kinney, who had recently purchased the premises.

Publican Fined.

Allen Walsh, publican, Halfpenny Gate, was prosecuted by Sergeant Rourke, ex-officio inspector of food and drugs, for having sold to him a quantity of whisky which was not of the nature, quality or substance of the article demanded.

Complainant produced the analyst's report, which showed that the sample contained an excess of water amounting to 28.5 per cent.

Mr. D. Barbour-Simpson, solicitor, who appeared for the defence, said his client had conducted the business at the Halfpenny Gate for the past 4½ years, and no charge of any kind had been brought against him during that time. As for the present offence, a mistake had been made, but how it arose he was at a loss to understand. He (Mr. Simpson) asked their Worships to deal as leniently as possible with the defendant.

A fine 21s and 12s 6d costs was imposed.

Milk Deficient in Fat.

Sergeant Rourke charged James Morrow, dairyman, Leamington Street, with having, on 29th May, sold to him as purchaser a quantity of sweetmilk which, on being analysed, was found deficient in fat to the extent of 20 per cent.

Mr. Joseph Allen, solicitor, for the defence, said that his client had kept a dairy for 20 years, but owing to the high price of feeding stuffs he sold his cattle last November. Since then he was getting the milk for his customers under contact which he had made with a farmer at Drumbeg to supply him with 25 gallons per day. He sold the milk as he got it, but could not account for the deficiency in fat. It may have arisen owing to the feeding stuff, but as to that they could not say.

Defendant, in reply to Mr. Allen, said be received 20 gallons in the morning and 15 gallons in the evening. He pledged his word that he sold the milk as he got it.

To Sergeant Rourke -- He delivered the milk twice a day in Lisburn. It was that mornings milk from which the sample was taken. He could not account for the deficiency. It could arise from the milk being skimmed, but he did not touch it.

William Drennan, farmer, Drumbeg, who supplied the milk, said he was unable to explain how the deficiency arose. He believed he had the best cattle in Ulster. He had about 20 cows, which cost him £? a day to feed.

To complainant -- He gave no warranty to the defendant.

Defendant (recalled), in reply to Mr. Turtle, admitted that he had received complaints from his customers about the quality of the milk.

Mr. Allen submitted that if ever there was a case where their Worships would be justified in exercising their leniency it was this one. The defendant was a most respectable trader, and was greatly concerned that there should be any fault found with the milk supplied to his customers. He (Mr. Allen) appealed to the Court to impose the least possible fine.

The magistrates having consulted the Chairman announced that by a majority they fined defendant 20s and costs.

Food Control Prosecution.

W. G. Patterson, grocer, Bow Street, was summoned for having, on 11th June, sold cheese at a price in excess of the controlled figure.

Defendant was not professionally represented.

Constable Newman deposed that two women named Blakley and Dowling complained to him that they had been charged over the price for cheese in defendant's shop. He entered the shop and examined the price list, which showed Canadian cheese at 1s 4d per lb. There was a lump of cheese on the counter, and he said to defendant, "You are selling it at 1s 6d per lb." Defendant replied, "No; I am selling it at 1s 4d per lb." He also said that he had no other class of cheese.

Mrs. Blakley and Mrs. Dowling stated that they paid at the rate of 1s 8d per lb. for the cheese they purchased.

In reply to defendant, they said they got no receipts.

Defendant said that two ladies came into the shop and purchased cheese from the boy who was assisting. He (defendant) took the cheese from them, as he wanted it for his regular customers. He was busy that day, and could not identity Mrs. Dowling and Mrs. Blakley as the ladies to whom he referred. He submitted that these ladies had no receipts to show that they got the cheese in his shop.

Defendant was convicted and fined 5s and costs, in each case.

=========================

CROWN V. GILMORE.

(To the Editor of the "Lisburn Standard.")

Dear Sir, -- With reference to the report published in your last issue, it is absolutely incorrect to say, as stated by counsel for the accused, that my father, Thomas Mines, was indebted to him in any sum whatever, or that I was indebted to him in a sum of £7, which was stated at the consideration of the transfer of the policy of assurance, which I never saw or heard of. -- Yours faithfully, ELEANOR J. MINES.

=========================

LISBURN TOWN COURT.

This court was held yesterday before Messrs. W. J. M'Murray (presiding), John M'Gonnell, and Augustas Turtle.

The Lisburn Urban Council prosecuted an old man named John Thompson for wheeling a barrow on the footpath.

Mr. Joseph Allen (for Mr. Wellington Young), who appeared for the Council, said it was an offence under the Towns Improvement Act for any person to wheel a barrow on the footpath, because it was likely to endanger foot passengers. There had been a great number of complaints, and the Council were determined to put a stop to the practice. That was the first prosecution of the kind that had been brought for some time.

W. J. M'Bride, town inspector, stated that he found defendant wheeling a barrow, on the 28th June, on the footpath, at Mr. Young's draper's shop. The footpath was narrow at the place.

Defendant pleaded guilty.

Mr. Allen -- I think that is your best course. Mr. Allen then, addressing the Bench, said that defendant was a decent old man, and he would not press for a heavy penalty.

A fine of 2s 6d and costs was imposed.

=========================

MOTHERHOOD.

I saw her weep alone,
Kneeling, apart;
"The war has slain my son,
And brok'n my heart!"

And thus, till War shall cease,
One heart shall break -- and one
Shall sing: "O God of Peace!
Thy will be done!"

SAMUEL K. COWAN, M.A.

=========================

THE WAR.

-- -- -- --

WEEK OF FIERCE AND CONTINUOUS FIGHTING.

-- -- -- --

ALLIES CONTINUE TO MAKE HEADWAY.

-- -- -- --

Since the French and Americans brought off their big counter-stroke on the 18th inst. desperate and continuous fighting has been going on in the salient between Rheims and Soissons, the Allies getting the best of it all the time, and forcing the Germans back over the Marne, but without otherwise gaining much ground. British, Italian, American, and French troops are now engaged in the fighting.

The latest official news to hand states that yesterday was a day of fierce fighting on the front from the Ourcy to Rheims. North of the Ourcy the French captured Oulchy-la-Ville, while to the south French and American troops advanced nearly two miles. The village of Courcy and the greater part of Bois de la Tournelle were taken, while the troops pressed through the Forest of Fere as far as the line Beauvardes-La-Charmel. Advances are also recorded in the Forest of Ris and north of Dormans, while the Germans have been repulsed between Vrigny and Ste Euphraise (south-west of Rheims).

Raids are reported from various parts of the British front, as well as an advance south of Rossignal Wood, in the Hebuterne sector.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

ENEMY'S LOSSES ENORMOUS.

The problem of the American army (says the Central News) is daily becoming more serious for the Germans. The enemy's losses since the commencement of his offensive have lives enormous, no fewer than from 150,000 to 180,00 men having been put out of action. So far there is no indication that Prince Rupprecht is about to commence an attack.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

LUDENDORFF COMMITS DEADLIEST OF SINS.

The "Daily Mail" says:-- A telegram from our Hague correspondent shows that the principal German excuse for the Crown Prince's severe defeat on the Marne is that General Foch knew the German plans. This does not seem a very cheerful explanation from the German standpoint, because it indicates so plainly that General Foch is an exceptional leader. Another excuse is even less satisfactory. It is that the French took the Huns by surprise. To be taken by surprise, as Napoleon once said, is the one unpardonable sin in a general. And now here we have a concert of newspapers from across the Rhine declaring, on inspiration from the General Staff itself, that this deadliest of sins has been committed by Ludendorff and Hindenburg. The third excuse is that the French attacked with masses of tanks. This almost recalls the manner of the late Lord Salisbury, who was quite disconcerted in the South African war to find that the Boers had rifles and guns. These excuses indeed are full of hopefulness for the Allies.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

SECOND-LIEUT. MORROW'S M.C.

The deed for which Second-Lieut. Hugh Galston Morrow, Royal Irish Rifles, son of Mr. Andrew Morrow, 2 Avonmore Terrace, Balmoral, Belfast, won the Military Cross, has been gazetted as follows:--

During a hostile attack he led a bombing party against the enemy, displaying the greatest coolness and courage under fire, and putting them to rout. He also went forward on three occasions to recover men of his platoon who had been wounded early in the attack.

Second-Lieut. Morrow is the fourth member of Lisnagarvey Hockey Club to win the M.C.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

LISBURN MAN'S CAPTAINCY.

Lieut. Herbert Simpson, younger son of Mr. James Simpson, Cremorne, Lisburn has been gazetted acting captain as and from the 1st April last. Captain Simpson has been in France for two years and a half. He has just returned thither after short leave at home.

=========================

These last few weeks the "Records of Old Lisburn" have been most interesting reading, especially to the people in the country and immediate vicinity of Killultagh, who should be proud of the great historic and traditional name involving titles of viscount; and it is pleasing to note that the district which gave origin to the name is a small townland of less than 700 acres, and that a respectable mansion is recorded known as Killultagh House, now occupied by Mrs. Larmor and family, widow of Mr. W. J. Larmor, who on purchasing same from the late Mr. Bennett, Megarry, made very extensive alterations, turning it into a very fine farmhouse with all the requisite appliances for carrying on the industry. He cut down a great number of trees which obscured the extensive view of the house, which can now be seen for many miles, almost from Lurgan. There is also Killultagh Cottage, where the late Simon Maze carried on an extensive handloom weaving industry. The school is the only other building bearing it's name. It was built almost a century ago, and despite the ever increasing flow of families to the towns, it has still maintained a steady average of pupils and a name for sound educational teaching. It was often the scene of very bitter feelings regarding its management. The Methodist community at one time had full control, but it ultimately passed over to the Church of Ireland, and the late Canon Sayers made it secure to that body by investing it in the Diocesan Board of Education.